Sunburn at Esch Road Beach

Esch Road beach, in Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, is always a delight. I've made the short trip from Traverse (about 30 miles) in all seasons. Summer is obviously my favorite. Sunday, I made the short trek.

Because of the wind Saturday afternoon and night, Lake Michigan was alive with wave action Sunday. It was terrific! The body surfing was excellent and refreshing, the water clean and cool. The continuing wind made it just a tad cool on the sand, but the water was perfect!

The sky was mostly cloudy, with only an occasional moment of sun during the afternoon. The heavy cloud cover caused us to make the stupid oversight of not applying sunscreen. We know better. We know that the UV rays that cause sunburn cruise right through clouds as if they aren't there. But we're human. It had been several years since I'd had a sunburn. But wow, did I get one Sunday.

About the time we arrived back in Traverse City for an early supper, we realized we were burnt like a piece of human toast. Later in the evening, we all started feeling hot, and not in a pleasant way.

Monday was not comfortable for any of us. Now it's Wednesday, three full days after the burn, and the worst is over. But we've learned the lesson again. USE SUNSCREEN.

The beach was awesome. We all had a great time in the surf. Waves ran about four or five feet, measured from the bottom of the trough to the crest. Standing on the sandbar in waist deep water, the biggest waves were over our heads.

I was surprised to see that the Lake Michigan beach was much narrower than last year, only about 40 feet from dunegrass to water. The last decade, it has averaged closer to 60 or 80 feet of sand. I don't think water levels are up much, so it must be the effect of erosion, perhaps only along that particular 5-mile stretch of sand.